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BE NICE.

If you were coaching someone, would you agree that it would unkind and counterproductive if you told them, “You are the worst–what an idiot–how stupid can you be?”

We all have to remember to be nice to ourselves. Appropriate responses to bad shots include: “Oh well–that’s okay–would you look at that. And my favorite: NOW WHAT? And go forward.

Amateurs specialize in being upset, looking back, and trying to figure out what they did wrong. Good players consider this a waste of time and energy.

BONUS: You will be more fun to play with if you are not muttering under your breath and angry all the time.

 

Pro Tip & Video

Tension and strain are swing killers. When you think you are loose enough, loosen up some more!

Here is a great drill to help you loosen up and truly swing the club.

 

 

I always ask “What are your golfing goals?”

I am the programmer for my students. I create what I call their recipe or program. I am a map maker. I find out what their goals are. They tell me. I do not tell them.

“I just want to be comfortable so I can play with my friends”. “I just don’t want to embarrass myself”. “I want my daughter to have a sport of her own that empowers her.” “I want to break 100.”

Then, I chart the route from where they’re at to where they want to go. From there, I instruct. I offer homework–drills, games and exercises. I guide, supervise, cheerlead, insist, redirect, etc. All in order that every client receives exactly what they need to arrive at the stated end. In a word, I give lessons.

USGA Rule 1.2

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

• Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.
•  Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.
• Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

Perhaps now more than ever, there is a need for every one of us to take extraordinarily good care of the courses at Singing Hills. In particular, it is our job to replace, or sand (I’ll also use gopher dirt), or “kick in” your divots.

Secondly, we all want nice greens! Please carry a ball mark repair tool and be diligent. If we all fix a couple extra, we can stay ahead. Thank you in advance for your extra efforts.

 

I want golf to be less forced. And more fun.

I want golf to be more playful and carefree.

I want you to be able to look over a situation and honestly assess what shot you should play.

I want you to be able to simply walk up to the ball and play the shot without trying.

I want you to enjoy watching your ball travel.

I want you to produce low scores again and again.

This means fewer swing thoughts and less effort.

This means less wonder and more certainty.

Golf can be like a bike ride at the beach. No problems.

Less forced.
And more fun.

You cannot think, buy, or talk your way to better golf.
It requires time and effort.
An excellent coach can make sure
you spend your time and effort productively.

 

Eliminating three putt greens is a super fast route to lower scores in golf.

There are two main reasons for three putts: 1. long putts not gotten close enough and 2. those missed short ones. Here are some steps to take.

The first step is to determine once and for all that you are going to dedicate yourself to improving your putting. There are no shortcuts! You have to go to a putting green and putt..and putt and putt and putt and putt. Think in terms of twenty hours of time spent over a few weeks in order to really make a difference.

I once asked a ski instructor what it really takes to get good at skiing. You know what he said? “Miles skied.” Think miles and miles of putting.

Another step is to always take time to go to the practice putting green before your round. Always. Skipping this step is about as amateurish as it gets. Anyone valuing a low score must get a feel for the speed of the greens before going out and hole some short putts for confidence sake. I recommend no less than twenty minutes. I know. Sounds like a lot. Sorry. I am not the one who is sick of shooting high scores. You want the truth. Right?

Also..putt in the house.

Putt in the evening after work . Putt uphillers and downhillers. Putt long ones. Putt lots of short ones. Strive to get to the point where you never miss inside four feet. Putt for an entire morning. Putt with buddies. Putt for money.

Ask for a putting lesson.

Three putting is not okay.

 

All of the courses were rerouted and redesigned by Ted Robinson after the big 100 year flood in 1980. The flood was devastating and took much of all three courses down stream along with the pro shop!

Hole number four (below) on Willow Glen is a Ted Robinson design.

Next time you are up there, look for the Native American artifacts in the granite. Mutate exist to the right of the white teeing area and halfway down the hill on the right in the cactus (shown).

 

Golfers are taking the club for the yardage and worrying about the lie second. That’s backwards.

You absolutely have to consider how the ball is sitting first. Then, choose the correct club for the lie.

Choose the club that’s right for the lie. Yardage does not dictate club selection. The lie does.

Amateurs are guilty of using too little loft. If your ball is sitting down in the grass, I don’t care if the hole is a hundred miles away. Get out your eight iron!

Generally going for more loft is good when you’re in trouble.

I want you to reliably–not heroically–cover ground. It is better to relax and enjoyably cover some ground rather than risk wastefully duffing a shot.

 

When I was 14, I was ready. And so was my game. I went from a sixteen to a four handicap in three months. Scratch golf came very shortly thereafter. Now, here’s the deal. This advancement was hard earned. It did not arrive on a silver platter. I had taken weekly lessons since I was nine, studied harder, and out-worked every kid my age.

There are very few if any shortcuts. Music teachers know it. You want to learn piano? You have sit down, and suffer, and stay with it–for HOURS at a time.

For the sake of this conversation…tips, pointers, and quick fixes are to be avoided. 

Martial artists, kids learning how to drive, pianists–even writers–practice in order to get better. Coaches in all sports would agree.

I will give you the tools you need to spend your practice time effectively. 100%. No maybes. Let’s do this.